‘…I've Found Once the Weight Had Gone Off, I've Had a Few Twinges, But Nothing Like Before’. Exploring Weight and Self‐Management of Knee Pain

Abstract

ObjectivesBeing overweight or obese is a key risk factor for the onset and exacerbation of knee pain. Policy and clinical guidelines encourage lifestyle changes as part of prevention or supported self-management. The present study explores how people who have not consulted for knee pain understand weight in relation to joint pain, if and how they self-manage and potential barriers to doing so.MethodsA qualitative investigation was undertaken using repeat in-depth semi-structured interviews and diary study. Thirteen participants who self-reported moderate to severe pain and had not recently consulted their general practitioner for knee pain were recruited to the study. Thematic analysis of data was conducted.ResultsParticipants did not recognize the association between being overweight and the onset of joint pain. The findings illuminate understandings of the effect of weight on joint pain, rationales and strategies for losing weight, and how participants’ position responsibility for weight gain and loss.DiscussionThe present study suggests that clinicians need to account for existing understandings and actions of individuals in relation to weight and joint pain. Supported self-management and public health interventions need to be individually tailored accordingly. © 2013 The Authors. Musculoskeletal Care published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Perceptions of adults with overweight/obesity and chronic musculoskeletal pain: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…This is in keeping with Janke and Kozak (), Janke et al. () and Morden, Jinks, and Ong () who previously described how participants are conscious that pain and weight are linked. An important additional finding of our study is that pain was a primary motivator to lose weight in two‐thirds of those attending the weight loss programme.…”

Weight loss interventions for adults with overweight/obesity and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a mixed methods systematic review

“… included predominantly male participants with chronic pain conditions including OA, Morden et al . had a slightly higher proportion of female participants with chronic joint pain, while Craft et al . studied only female participants with fibromyalgia.…”

“…For the qualitative component of the review, five publications reporting the results of four studies were included . All five publications were critically appraised as both papers representing one study reported different themes and therefore were included separately.…”

“…Five publications representing four studies were appraised . One study scored 3/10, and it was decided by consensus (L.C., C.R.)…”

Weight-loss interventions for overweight/obese adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain

“…19,29,31 Weight-loss interventions may have an additional positive impact on pain by reducing mechanical–structural factors, metabolic factors, systemic inflammation and increasing health-related quality of life (hrQol). 32 Interventions designed to target weight may have added positive effects, for example, reduction of mental distress, such as anxiety or depression, both of which are strongly correlated with obesity and chronic pain. 9,16 Improvement in mental health may enable individuals who are overweight or obese with co-existing chronic pain to sustain positive changes and maintain new patterns of behavior.…”